Folks have been sending us a link to the sad news that Chester Nez has left us and, with him, took a huge piece of purely American heritage with him;
he passing of Nez — the last of the first 29 Navajo men who created a code from their language that stumped the Japanese in World War II — marked the closure of a chapter in the story of a special group of veterans.
Nez died Wednesday morning in Albuquerque, where he lived with his son Michael. He was 93. His family said he died of kidney failure.
He was a member of the all-Navajo 382nd Marine Platoon.
“It’s the chapter about the first Navajo Code Talkers coming to a close,” said Smith, 52, whose late father was also a Code Talker, but not one of the original group. “People talk about it, and you never think it’s going to happen in your lifetime. They are carrying the past with them.
Rest In Peace old warrior. God bless you for your service and bless your family. My respect and tribute are held in their highest for Chester Nez. Truly the last of an important part of the Greatest Generation.
^^^ What Sparks said. ^^^
Hozo-go nay-yeltay to / A-na-oh bi-keh de-dlihn / Ni-hi-keh di-dlini ta-etin / Yeh-wol-ye hi-he a-din…
” May we live in peace hereafter
We have conquered all our foes,
No force in the world we cannot conquer,
We know of no fear…”
Nin hokeh bi-kheh a-na-ih-la
Ta-al-tso-go na-he-seel-kai
Nih-bi-kah-gi do tah kah-gi
Ta-al-tso-go en-da-de-pah
Tsi-di-da-an-ne ne-tay-yah
Ay be nihe hozeen
Washindon be Akalh Bi-kosi-la
Ji-lengo ba-hozhon
Ni-he da-na-ah-taj ihla
Yel khol-go e-e-ah
Day-ne tal-al-tso go enta-she-jah
Tal-tso-go entas-se-pah
Ha-kaz dineh-ih be-hay-jah
Ado ta aokhek-ash-shen
Do ni-din-da-hi ol-yeh
Washindon be Akalh-bi Khos
Hozo-go nay-yeltay to
A-na-oh bi-keh de-dlihn
Ni-hi-keh di-dlini ta-etin
Yeh-wol-ye hi-he a-din
Sila-go-tsoi do chah-lakai
Ya-ansh-go das dez e e
Washindon be Akalh-bi Kosi la
Hozo-g-kay-ha-tehn
Hágoónee’ Marine, may your spirit’s journey
be as meaningful as your life here was.
While all who serve contribute to the security of this nation, some contributions are more significant than others. This group of fine Marines would certainly be among the most significant.
RIP, sir. We will not forget you and your brothers in arms.
BRAVO ZULU Mr. Nez! Many thanks and may God Bless and Keep you and all of your brothers in arms. Truly may we be worthy sir.
Rest in peace, Marine.
RIP Mr. Nez. Many thanks. Little did you know that not only would you and your friends see the world beyond, but change it as well.
There’s a longer piece up on the azcentral site when they interviewed him with a lot of stuff (including the coded alphabet they used):
http://www.azcentral.com/news/native-americans/?content=codetalker#video1
The wikipedia entry on Code Talkers shows the great legacy of their work in two World Wars, Korea and VIetnam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_talker
RIP, Mr. Nez!
Many have served. Few have become legends.
RIP
Not only could the Japanese not break the code,
they could not even identify the language (initially).
May you walk in beauty, Marine Chester Nez.
The Few, The Proud, The Dineh’
Not only could the Japanese not break the code,
they could not even identify the language (initially).
May you walk in beauty, Marine Chester Nez.
The Few, The Proud, The Dineh’
May Diana the Huntress and Athena the Warrior Goddess send him on the Long Hunt, through tall grasses flowing like the sea in the moonlight, through canyons lined with flowing rivers leaping with fish, to the campfires of the People under the stars.